title: Communicating with people who have experienced heart attack.
abstract: Presentations of acute myocardial infarction (MI) can be divided into diagnostic subcategories that require different treatments. This article reports the results of a study that explored and compared patients' perceptions of their illness and motivation for behavioural change after different treatments for MI. Results suggest that patients who have had non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI) and whose initial diagnosis is uncertain take their condition less seriously than those who have had STEMI and invasive or 'urgent' treatments. This tendency can make them less motivated to change their lifestyles. Healthcare professionals in emergency departments should be aware of, and address, patients' misconceptions and provide clear and consistent advice to improve their long-term outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dullaghan
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lusk
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McGeough
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fitzsimons
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior